Treatment standards not commercial interests should drive commissioning, say surgeons

Any new non-NHS providers who are involved in healthcare provision under the government’s proposed health reforms should adhere to new commissioning standards, claims the Royal College of Surgeons.

In its response to the government’s ongoing NHS Future Forum listening exercise published on 23 May, the college sets out principles and standards that non-NHS providers would have to meet to equal the standard of current providers.

The standards touch on training, education, audit, research, measuring outcomes, and assessing the impact of any changes made.

Overall the college welcomes the drive …